Kindergarten

Our aim with all our evidence based learning and teaching approaches in the Primary School is to be able to build on students’ strengths, personalise the learning and provide experiences for children which foster intrinsically motivated, confident, independent, lifelong learners with the skills to take into the 21st century.

Sarah Stokes
Head of Primary

Kindergarten in Coffs Harbour - BDC is a K-12 Anglican Independent school on the Mid North Coast 

At Bishop Druitt College in Coffs Harbour, our Kindergarten program offers a nurturing, play-based learning environment that inspires curiosity, builds literacy and numeracy skills, and prepares children for a confident start to school.

With innovative facilities, a focus on wellbeing, and personalised care, our Kindergarten at Bishop Druitt College provides a safe and inspiring start to your child’s educational journey on the Mid North Coast.

We are now taking enrolments for 2027, 2028 and beyond.
We also have some limited Kindergarten places for 2026. 

At BDC, we believe in supporting your child from their very first steps toward learning and growth. Begin your journey with us through our Preschool Little Movers Program or connect through our BDC Playgroup at one of our four locations.

As your child grows, our Kindergarten Engagement Coordinator will stay in contact, guiding you through the transition to Kindergarten and beyond. We invite you to visit us at our BDC Kindy Pop-In Day (23 May 2026) to experience everything BDC has to offer. There is so much more to learn and explore about BDC, we invite you to come and be a part of our community.

BDC can be the start of your child's exceptional educational journey.

Our daughter’s transition to kindergarten at BDC has been a smooth, seamless experience full of support for both students and parents. The teachers have been wonderful, they are kind, approachable and nurturing. The systems and processes BDC have in place allow for easy, regular communication to parents whether via email or through the Schoolbox app. We could not be happier with our decision to send our children to BDC.

2025 Kindy Parent

BDC has exceeded our expectations in all areas! The play based learning has been an absolute game changer for our kindy boy and we are so happy that we made this decision to send him here.

2025 Kindy Parent

BDC has been a great choice for one of life’s big decisions. Our child didn’t shed a tear (we did) as he has been overjoyed with learning, investigations, Barkley the school dog, music lessons during class time and learning with a hands on approach. For us wellbeing and community were important decision criteria which is helping with the big transition.

2025 Kindy Parent

Our experience so far has been amazing, teachers have been really supportive and my little girl looks forward to going to school everyday. We feel 100% at ease that our children are well looked after and in the right place.

2025 Kindy Parent

The professionalism and organisation of the school are outstanding. From well-structured learning activities to clear communication with parents, everything is managed with such care and efficiency. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this wonderful community and highly recommend BDC to any family looking for an exceptional early childhood education experience.

Sarah Withers - 2025 Kindy Parent

What has impressed us most is the kindness and inclusion demonstrated by the older children. Their respectful and caring behavior sets such a beautiful precedent, creating a school culture where every child feels valued and supported. It’s evident that this is a direct result of the school’s strong values and dedication to emotional and social development.

2025 Kindy Parent

We are absolutely thrilled with our experience at Bishop Druitt College Kindergarten From the moment our daughter, Velvet, started attending, we felt the warmth and nurturing environment that makes this school so special. The investigative learning approach has truly ignited her curiosity, fostering a love for learning already.

2025 Kindy Parent

Our son began his Kindergarten journey this year and we were not entirely sure how he would go as we didn't want to compare his journey to his older brother. He is a sensitive soul and we worried that he may find the transition and routine difficult, even after being in Preschool. We couldn't believe how seamlessly he transitioned and how noticeably happy he was with every passing day after his first day. At the end of his first week when he woke up on Saturday, he was disappointed he wasn't going to school. He has been thriving and the teachers have been so supportive along the way. We couldn't have asked for a better start to his schooling journey at BDC.

2025 Kindy Parent

The transition to my son starting Kindergarten at BDC has been truly amazing. From someone who planned to homeschool then was lucky enough to get my son into BDC, I had quite a few anxieties about sending my baby off into the world. BDC has really exceeded expectations, they go above and beyond, my son who is highly energetic and never been in any formal learning settings has thrived. His teacher has communicated well, there are plenty of social opportunities to meet other families, great sporting opportunities and even at the end of the day on pickup every one of the teachers is smiling and lovely as they escort my child to my car. I am beyond happy with our decision to send our son to BDC.

2025 Kindy Parent

We highly recommend BDC to anyone looking for a caring, nurturing, inclusive environment for your child's education. Our experience has been extremely positive thus far, from our initial communication and interview process and everything in between. We are particularly pleased with how personable and welcoming the staff are and the abundance of opportunities the college offers.

2025 Kindy Parent

BDC has been a wonderful and nurturing experience for our daughter. We started with the BDC Playgroup when she was three years old, and from the very beginning, we have felt the warmth of this supportive and inclusive community. Every day, she comes home with a smile on her face, and we have complete trust that she is receiving everything she needs to learn, grow, and thrive. We are so grateful to be part of such a caring and enriching environment.

2025 Kindy Parent

Seamless transition from Preschool to Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten program is designed to make the move from preschool smooth and exciting. Children develop independence, social skills, and school readiness in a nurturing environment, ensuring they start primary school at Bishop Druitt College with confidence.

Play-based learning with a strong academic foundation

We balance the joy of play with structured learning experiences. Through inquiry-led activities, children build literacy and numeracy skills while exploring, discovering, and developing critical thinking.

Preparing children for a successful school journey

Our Kindergarten program focuses on school readiness by fostering curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Each child is supported to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

Nurturing pastoral care

Pastoral care is at the heart of our early learning program. Each child is guided with warmth, individual attention, and support, ensuring they feel safe, included, and valued.

Enrolling now for Kindergarten

Enrolling now for Kindergarten

At the heart of our school is a commitment to develop the whole child.

Small classes for individual attention

With limited class sizes, our educators can focus on each child’s unique needs and learning style, ensuring every student receives personalised guidance.

A seamless pathway to K–12 education

Starting Kindergarten at Bishop Druitt College sets your child on a continuous learning journey through to Year 12, providing stability, academic continuity, and long-term growth with many opportunities. 

Frequently asked questions

Q1: At what age can my child start Kindergarten in NSW?

Children can start Kindergarten at age 5, following NSW Department of Education guidelines.

Q2: Is Bishop Druitt College Kindergarten part of a private school?

Yes. Our Kindergarten program is part of Bishop Druitt College, an independent Anglican school in Coffs Harbour, offering a nurturing and structured start to education.

Q3: How does Kindergarten differ from preschool?

Kindergarten is the first year of formal school in NSW. Unlike preschool, it focuses on structured literacy, numeracy, and school readiness, while still incorporating play-based learning.

Discover how we're shaping the future of education through innovative teaching practices, student-centered learning, and academic excellence.

Discover our exceptional facilities 

Resources 

  • Direct bus service
  • 1 GB network bandwidth - making us the fastest school on the Mid North Coast
  • Latest technology in classrooms such as smart boards
  • Climate-controlled classrooms
  • On-campus Midford uniform shop outlet
  • Modern canteen with a healthy menu and easy online ordering through Flexischools
  • BDC App with direct Schoolbox access, Flexischools, Parent Lounge access and more
  • Schoolbox Learning Management System

Schoolbox

Schoolbox is a learning management system that provides the tools required to build an online community of learners. The purpose of Schoolbox is to build an online community supporting rich collaboration, communication and learning, by providing access to the tools for the sharing of content, active collaboration and social learning.

The aim of Schoolbox for the primary school is to improve collaboration and communication between the college, students, parents and staff through:

  • Placing the learner at the centre and providing students with opportunities to share their learning with others and reflect on their progress in real time
  • Enabling quality online learning pedagogy in the classroom
  • Improving progressive feedback and assessment for students and parents
  • Regular communication to teachers, parents and students.
  • Utilising a ‘flipped’ learning model to allow for more targeted teaching time within the classroom

Thank you for considering Bishop Druitt College for the educational future of your child.

Kindergarten Orientation

Our Kindergarten Orientation Program is designed to support both parents and children as they prepare for the exciting transition to big school. Through community connection experiences, parents gain valuable insights into our school’s processes and routines, while children participate in activities that help them build confidence, form connections with peers and teachers, and develop a sense of belonging within our school community. This welcoming experience ensures a confident start to their journey at Bishop Druitt College.

Alongside our structured Orientation Program, our Picnic and Play events provide a relaxed, fun gathering for incoming Kindergarten families to connect. These social, play sessions give children the chance to explore their new school environment, interact with peers and teachers, and start building relationships in a comfortable and informal setting. By enjoying playtime and casual activities, children become more familiar with their surroundings, helping them feel a sense of belonging and comfort as they transition into big school.

If you would like to give your child more opportunities to connect with BDC you are welcome to join our BDC Playgroup.

I have been attending the BDC Playgroup for close to three years now, first with my eldest (who is now in Kindergarten at BDC) and still every week with my youngest. In all my years as a parent, this is the first playgroup I’ve found to be truly welcoming, warm, and nurturing — somewhere we genuinely look forward to going each week. Kristy has created such a beautiful environment, always ensuring there are plenty of engaging activities for the kids and offering support so they get the most out of their time there. The other parents are friendly and kind, which makes it a wonderful space to connect as adults too. I can’t recommend the BDC Playgroup highly enough to any pre-kindy parents looking for a safe, supportive, and fun community for both their children and themselves.

Playgroup attendee

Let's start a journey of opportunity and adventure. 

Let's start a journey of opportunity & adventure

As we all gather and stand upon Country, may we acknowledge and respect Gumbaynggirr Land and the thousands of years’ worth of both physical and spiritual connection to Country, culture and teachings embedded forever within these Lands.

© 2026 Bishop Druitt College

site by Digistorm, a Veracross solution